(VOVworld) - The 23^rd conference of parties to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is being held in New York from June 10-14. UNCLOS member countries reviewed the operational mechanism of its bodies, including the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Seabed Disputes Chamber, and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. Members also exchanged views on issues that have arisen during the implementation of the convention. In his address, Ambassador Le Hoai Trung, Head of the Permanent Vietnamese Mission to the UN delivered a speech praising member countries for their discussion of issues arising during the implementation of the Convention. He noted that fishing is a traditional trade in the East Sea which benefits hundreds of millions of people living along coastal areas. Coastal countries need to create conditions for their fishermen to fish in a safe and sustainable manner. However, over the past year, there have been a number of chases, arrests and even violence against fishermen operating in the traditional fishing grounds. Trung stressed that while a comprehensive solution to marine sovereign and boundary disputes has yet to be introduced, coastal countries should strictly adhere to the UNCLOS. He said UNCLOS member countries need to enter into negotiations and draft acceptable solutions for fishing activity, so as to ensure fishermen’s safety, fully exploit marine resources and protect the marine ecological environment. Trung said all unilateral actions, such as promulgation of fishing bans and coercive execution of national law in disputed areas, only complicate the situation and go against purposes and principles of the UNCLOS. Parties involved in the East Sea disputes need to maintain an environment of peace, security and cooperation in the sea to exploit marine resources and protect the sea environment sustainably, Trung said. At the conference, Trung introduced the 2013 Vietnam Sea Law to the conference and affirmed that all provisions of the law are entirely consistent with the 1982 UNCLOS provisions.